Importance

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Abstract

The invention relates to an improved valve bag placing machine and method. The valve bag placing machine according to this invention is adapted to remove a valve type bag from a stack on an indexing conveyor, open the valve opening thereof, and insert this opening over a material dispensing nozzle of a bag filling machine. Vacuum cups, movable in response to actuation of pneumatic cylinders, contacts the valve bag at the end flap and side portions thereof. As these cylinders are retracted, a valve opening rod contacts the side of the bag to positively strip away the valve end flap from the side of the valve bag. Once in this position, one of the vacuum cups is removed from the bag and the valve bag clamping assembly is rotated by an actuator assembly. Prior to, after, or simultaneous with this rotation step, another pair of vacuum cups contacts the side of the valve bag and pulls it down with respect to the valve bag end flap, thus opening the valve bag valve opening. Once the valve opening is presented, the valve bag clamping assembly is caused to translate linearly such that the valve bag surrounds a material dispensing spout of the bag filling machine. At this point, vacuum to the various vacuum cups is relieved and the valve bag clamping assembly is returned to its initial position in registry with a valve bag on the indexing conveyor.

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First Claim